Unitary reinforced folding box



R. B. WORFFORD UNITARY REINFORCED FOLDING BOX Aug. 21, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 10, 1948 ma 419 ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 21 195i Robert B. Worfford, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The Gardner Board and Carton Co., a corporationof Ohio Application January 10, 1943, Serial No. 1,544

"This invention relates to folding boxes formed the top and bottom panels and requiring no additional reinforcing material, which oan be economically produced in quantity, which can be shipped or stored in flattened condition, and which is quickly and easily set up for use.

Another object is to provide such a folding box formed of a single one-piece blank of sheet stock and having side walls continuous along the top and bottom panels wherein the reinforoed rear wall is composed of twoportions ofthe blankintegral with the top and bottom panels respec- .tively, which are cut apart laterally of the blank and secured together in superimposed relation.

An additional object of the invention is topi'ovide such a folding box wherein portions of the side walls are doubled on themselvesand 'secured together, shortening the original length of the blank and superimposing two originally adjacent portions of'the'blank to form the reinforced rear wall of the box.

It is also an object of the inventionto provide a method of quicklyand economically forming a folding box of the above type from a single onepiece blank by partially severing the blank and then superimposingand securing the. severed portions together to form a reinforced rear wall for the box.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. Y

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view-showing a complete box in accordance with the invention-setup ready for use and with the top in open position;

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the box in flat foldedcondition, portionsbeingbroken away to illustrate details of internal construction;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the blank from which-the box is made;

Fig. 4 is an edge viewin elevation showing an e intermediate stage in the assembly of the blank 'to'form the box;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing one corner of the box from :theinside with the cover approximately one-thirdclos'ed; and

Fig. 6 is a'view similar to Fig. 5-but -with the cover approximately two-thirds closed.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate. a

preferred embodimentof the invention, :Figs. 1

' 9 Claims. (Cl. 229-33) and 2 sh'ow a folding box of theinfold'type wherein the bottom includes a panel It, a front wall ll and side walls l2, while the top includes a similar panel 15, a front'wall l6 and side walls H. The reinforced rear wall of the box is formed of a part or panel 20 integral with the bottom panel l0 which is superimposed on and adhered to asimilar part or panel '22 integral with the top'panel l5. The side walls +2 and H are connected by integral folding portions 24 and tab-like portions 25 which project inwardly of the box between the portions 12 and 24. The front corners of the bottom of the box are formed by tab portions '26 which extend rearwardly from the ends of front wall H and are secured to side walls 12, and the corresponding corners of the top of the box are formed by similar tabs 2'! secured to side walls l1.

Fig. 3 shows the one-piece fiat blank from which the boxin Figs. 1 and 2 is formed. :As shown, the blank includes the panels IO and 45 which form the corresponding bottom and .top panels of the finished box, the bottom panel being of sufficiently smaller dimensions than the-top panel to provide for proper interfitting of the bottom and top of the box in-use. The blank also includes peripheral portions ll, 12, I6 and 1.! which form the correspondingly numbered front and sidewalls ofthe'iinished box. Suitable score or fold lines are provided between the panels t9 and 15 and the side wallfor-ming portions of the blank respectively, as indicated by the broken lines '30, and these fold lines extend between the portion 2 2 and the portions 24 as indicatedat 39a. Clearance slots 3! are out between the tabs 26 and portions 12 andbetweenth tabs 2-! and-the portions H, and suitable-diagonal fold-lines 33. are provided at the corner portions of the blank .for effectin the desiredfolding action in assembling and'in setting up the finished box.

The parts 20' and -22 of theblank which form the rear wall ofthe-finis'hed-boxlie in the blank intermediate the panels Ill and -l5 and immediately adjacent each other, the two parts-together having an aggregate width approximately twice that of the rear-wall of -the box. =Thisintermediate por'tionis cut apart along a transverse out line 35 parallel and equal in length to the-scoreor foldlines 36 and 3? of the top --a-nd bottom panels, deaving cut edges 3511. on

part 20 and 35b-on part 2.2 .asshown in -.Figs.

4 -to 6. The cut line 35 is so locatedlongitudinallyofthe blankthat the part 2!] is of sulfi- -ciently less width .than the .part 22 vto avoid interference with the .desired folding of the top along thefold line-Sl after thepart's 2t and 22 .are secured together to form the rear wall oflthe 'box. Theescore'd foldlines 36 and 3! extend across thelblank to its. outer ed es, as indi- :eated .at 35a. and erm resp c ivel and sim ar y scored .-fold lines {38-81% provided between he 3 blank portions 24 and 25 in line with the out line 35, leaving an integral connection through parts 24 and 25 of the blank.

The part 22 remains integral at its ends with the portions 24 of the side walls, but the part 20 has its opposite ends severed from the remainder of the blank. As shown, this severing operation is carried out by punching generally rectangular apertures 40 at opposite sides of the blank with one diagonal dimension of each such aperture substantially coinciding with the end of the part 26 and perpendicular with the line 35, and the other diagonals extending toward each other and located substantially centrally of the outer ends of part 26. In order to provide extra clearance and avoid bulk in use, each of the apertures 46 is extended at one corner to provide squared corners 41 on the part 20 adjacent the part 22.

It will be seen that with the blank formed as described and shown in Fig. 3, the panel Ill and part 2% are left connected with the panel I5 and part 22 only through the sections 24 and 25 of the side wall portions which border the apertures 48. These sections 25 are scored along their center lines 42 parallel to the width of the box and to the out line 35. The parts 24 of the side walls are cut away at 43 and are also scored or partly cut and partly scored along the lines 44 for effecting desired folding of these parts when the finished box is opened and closed.

In assembling the different portions of the blank to form the complete box, the parts or panels 2i] and 22 are superimposed and secured together to form the rear wall. As shown in Fig. 4, the part 20 is raised above the part 22, and these parts can then readily slide across each other until they are superimposed. Since this necessitates a shortening of the overall length of the blank, the sections 25 of the side wall forming portions of the blank double on themselves along the scored lines 42 and project substantially normally to the plane of the remainder of the blank. The superimposed parts 20 and 22 may be secured together by suitable adhesive, as indicated at 45 in Fig. 2, and the contacting surfaces of the two halves of each portion 25 are similarly secured together as indicated at 46 in Fig. 2. The corners of the box are also formed in the usual way by securing the tabs 26 and 21 to the adjacent parts of the side wall portions l2 and I7, respectively.

Fig. 2 shows the finished box in folded condition for storage purposes. The front and side walls are all folded inwardly, and the tab portions 25 lie flat in superimposed relation with the bottom panel [0. When the box is to be used, the front and side walls are erected as shown in Fig. 1, and Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate how the rear wall and the adjacent portions of the side walls cooperate in closing the box. As shown in Fig. 5, when the cover begins to close, the parts 24 fold along the fold lines 44 and inwardly of box along lines 30a, and this movement continues until these parts fit into the recess left at each end of the part 20 by the apertures (Fig. 6). The tab portions 25 overlie the ends of the rear wall when the box is closed to provide extra reinforcement, and since they are beveled on their lower edges as a result of the square shape of apertures 40, as shown at 41 in Figs. 5 and 6, they are out of frictional contact with bottom panel to and thus do not interfere with the desired folding and unfolding of the box is use.

It Will accordingly be seen that the invention provides a folding box of simple construction which can be quickly and easily formed from a 'single one-piece blank and which includes an adequately reinforced rear wall integral with the other portions of the blank and requiring no additional reinforcing material. This box is well adapted to mass production, since the cutting and scoring operations can be readily carried out in a simple and continuously performed manner by die stamping operations from suitable sheet stock, and wastage of stock being reduced to a minimum. It will also be noted that the glue or other adhesive used in forming the rear wall of the box is applied only across the single band of the blank formed by the part 20 and the portions 25, thus further facilitating speed and ease of assembly. These advantages are obtained while maintaining the box in readily foldable condition requiring minimum space for storage or shipping when empty.

While the method and article herein described constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise method and article, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A one-piece blank for .a folding box of the character described adapted to be folded into flattened condition and to be set up for use comprising spaced top and bottom forming panels each having side wall and a front wall forming portions, said blank having a out therethrough at a position intermediate said top and bottom panels extending across the width of said panels and short of said side wall leaving said panels connected by said side wall forming portions of said blank outwardly of said cut, the portions of said blank adjacent said cut being superimposed and secured together to form the rear wall of said box of double thickness.

2. A folding box of the character described adapted to be folded into flattened condition and comprising a one-piece blank formed to provide top and bottom panels each having side walls and a front wall, said blank having a cut therethrough at a position intermediate the ends thereof and extending across the width of said top and bottom panels leaving said panels connected by the side wall forming portions thereof, the portions of said blank adjacent said cut bein superimposed and secured together to form the rear wall of said box of double thickness, each of said panel-connecting portions of said side walls being folded on itself to shorten said blank with resulting superposition of said rear wall forming portions.

3. A folding box of the character described adapted to be folded into flattened condition and comprising a one-piece blank formed to provide top and bottom panels each having integral side walls and a front wall, said blank havin a cut therethrough at a position intermediate said top and bottom panels and extending across the width of said panels but short of said side panels, said blank also being cut from each end of said out and perpendicular thereto for a distance approximately equal to the height of said side walls to leave said panels connected by said side wall forming portions outwardly of said out, the portions of said blank bordering said first named out being superimposed and secured together to thickness of said material.

4. A folding box of the character described adapted to be folded into flattened condition and comprising a one-piece blank formed to provide spaced top and bottom panels each havin side walls and a front wall, said blank having a cut therethrough at a position intermediate said top and bottom panels and extending across the width of said panels but terminating short of said side panels, said blank also being cut from each end of said out and perpendicular thereto for a distance approximately equal to the height of said side walls to leave said panel connected by said side wall forming portions outwardly of said out, the portions of said blank adjacent said first named out being superimposed and secured together to form the rear wall of said box of double the thickness of the material, the section of said side wall forming portions of said blank bordering each of said last named cuts being doubled on itself inwardly of said box and having the overlapping surfaces thereof secured together.

5. A folding box of the character described adapted to be folded into flattened condition and formed from a one-piece blank having spaced top and bottom panels each having side walls and a front wall, said blank having a cut therethrough at a position intermediate said top and bottom panels and extending across the width of said panels to leave two additional portions each of approximately the same dimensions as one of said front panels, one of said additional portions also being severed from the remainder of said blank at both ends thereof, the ends of the other of said additional portions bein left integral with the remainder of the blank, said additional portions being superimposed on each other and secured together to form the rear wall of said box of double the thickness of the material.

6. A folding box of the character described adapted to be folded into flattened condition and comprising a one-piece blank formed to provide spaced top and bottom panels, said blank including peripheral portions forming the side and front walls of said box, said blank having a cut therethrough at a position intermediate said top and bottom panels and extending across the width of said panels to leave two additional portions each of approximately the same dimensions as one of said front walls, one of said additional portions also being severed from the remainder of said blank at both ends thereof, said additional portions being secured together in overlapping relation to form the rear wall of said box of double the thickness of the'material, the section of said peripheral portion bordering each end of said severed portion being doubled on itself to maintain said side walls of said top and bottom panels in integrally connected relation.

7. A blank for forming a folding box of the character described comprising a generally rectangular body of sheet material including spaced top and bottom panels, peripheral portions on said panels adapted to form the side and front walls of said box, said blank having a out therethrough at a position intermediate said top and bottom panels extending across the width of said panels to leave two additional wall portions each of substantially the same dimensions as one of said front walls, one of said additional wall portions also being severed from the remainder of said blank at both ends thereof to leave said top and bottom panels connected by said peripheral gortions, the section of said side wall forming portions bordering each end of said severed portion having a score extending thereacross substantially parallel to said out and substantially opposite the center line of said severed portion to facilitate doubling said scored sections on themselves to efiect superposition of said additional portions forming a reinforced rear wall of said box.

8. A blank for forming a folding box of the character described comprising a generally rectangular body of sheet material including spaced top and bottom panels, peripheral portions on said panels adapted to form the side and front walls of said box, said blank having a out therethrough at a position intermediate said top and bottom panels extending across the width of said panels to leave two additional portions each of approximately the same dimensions as one of said front walls, said blank having a pair of generally rectangular apertures therein severing the ends of one of said additional portions from the body of said blank leaving said top and bottom panels connected outwardly of said apertures by the sections of said side wall forming portions bordering said apertures, each of said bordering sections having a score along substantially the center line thereof to provide for doubling said scored sections on themselves to eifect superposition of said additional portions for forming the rear wall of said box.

9. A blank for forming a folding box of the character described comprising a generally rectangular body of sheet material including spaced top and bottom panels, peripheral portions on said panels adapted to form the side and front walls of said box, said blank having a out therethrough at a position intermediate said top and bottom panels extending across the width of said panels to leave two additional portions each of approximately the same dimensions as one of said front walls, said blank having a pair of generally rectangular apertures therein with the diagonal dimensions thereof substantially equal to the narrower dimension of one of said additional portions and each arranged with one of said diagonal dimensions extending substantially perpendicularly from one end of said out severing the ends of one of said additional portions from the body of said blank leaving said top and bottom panels connected outwardly of said apertures by the sections of said side wall forming portions bordering said apertures, each of said bordering sections having a score along substantially the center line thereof to provide for doubling said scored sections on themselves to eifect superposition of said additional portions for forming the rear wall of said box.

ROBERT B. WORFFORD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,170,776 Nagle Feb. 8, 1916 1,667,975 Labombarde May 1, 1928 1,939,745 Wellman Dec. 19, 1933 2,157,062 Stopper May 2, 1939 2,210,443 Bergenstein Aug. 6, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 236,796 Germany July 12, 1911 286,495 Great Britain Mar. 8, 1928 772,655 France Oct, 2, 1933 

